Key Highlights
In 2025, the number of residency permits in Portugal has risen by more than 386 thousand, as of October (compared to 2024, 60% more). This spurt is caused by new immigration policies, which are concentrated on skilled labour and the government clearing a backlog. New reforms are to facilitate the process of residency and focus on competent specialists. This wave is a significant change in the migration pattern in Portugal and has made it one of the top destinations for international residents in Europe.
Portugal’s Residency Permits See Historic Growth in 2025
As of October 2025, the immigration authorities of Portugal gave out a total of 386,463 residency permits through the Agency of the Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). This figure is a 60 per cent improvement on the 236,030 permits given out in 2024. The influx has attracted much publicity, both as a result of recent policy changes and as an effort to clear old application backlogs by the administration.
The president of AIMA, Pedro Portugal Gaspar, emphasised that this increase was in part due to the processing of older applications that were made under the previous system of expression of interest, which gave foreigners who were already living in Portugal an opportunity to have their applications processed to become legal residents of Portugal, after first coming into the country under tourist visas. This system was progressively discontinued in June 2024.
Also Read: Portugal Tightens Migrant Labour Laws: End of Work Permits for Certain Work
Key Immigration Law Changes in 2025
On October 16, 2025, the Portuguese government passed a new Foreigners Law that has a major effect on the issue of work visas and the grant of residency permits. The law currently limits work visas to those in pursuit of qualifying work and puts a focus on highly skilled professionals, and restricts the immigration of other lower-skilled labourers.
The purpose of this change is to control the migration flows more effectively and in accordance with the labour market requirements in Portugal. It is estimated by the experts that with the backlog being cleared and the new law implemented, the new residency applications will drop. This is supported by early trends, which show that already it is reported that the applications were half the volume of the past couple of years.
|
Category |
Approximate Share of Permits |
|
Backlog Clearance (Old Applications) |
40% |
|
Skilled Worker Visas |
35% |
|
Family Reunifications |
15% |
|
Others (Education, Protection) |
10% |
Digital Transformation Boosts Residency Processing
Another modern digital system implemented by AIMA to handle residency permits has been used instead of manual processes done on paper. This modernisation enables the applicants to post documents on the internet and make follow-ups digitally on the applications and renew permits through the digital platforms. This has led to a reduction in processing times and hence delivered residency cards in time.
The digital transformation is one of the wider government efforts to ensure that immigration services are both more transparent and efficient, and the experience of migrants is seen to be enhanced, as well as the administration bottlenecks are curtailed.
Also Read: Portugal Introduces Work Visa Requirement for Foreign Job Seekers
Portugal Golden Visa and Investment Pathways
Though the Portugal Golden Visa program is still in existence, some drastic changes have taken place. Investment in direct real estate is no longer subject to the Golden Visa since October 2023. Rather, investment directions are currently in the private equity tourism and hospitality industry, and the program is in line with the vision of sustainable development.
In 2024, the approval of Golden Visas reached a historic high, with almost 5,000 new applications received, which is 72% higher than in the previous year, and there is great interest among international companies in this direction despite the tightening of the conditions.
|
Year |
Permits Issued |
Percentage Increase |
|
2024 |
236,030 |
- |
|
2025 |
386,463 |
+60% |
Latest Trends and News About Portugal Surge in 2025
The following are the recent facts on Portugal's surge:
-
Jan-Oct 2025 AIMA grants 386,463 new residency permits, which is an increase of 236,030 in 2024.
-
The permits issued are mostly those backlogs under the previous system of expression of interest, which has been eliminated.
-
Efforts by the New Foreigners Law, effective October 16, make the issuance of work visas only to skilled workers.
-
Digital renewal procedures were implemented to enhance the efficiency of the application and minimise the delays.
Also Read: Portugal Accelerates Golden Visa Processing to Clear Backlog
Conclusion
The number of residency permits in Portugal has increased by 60 per cent in 2025, which is attributed to the clearance of the backlog and introduction of new immigration policies aimed at skilled labourers. Such a significant growth is indicative of the changing migration system in Portugal as well as its focus on efficient and open residency management according to the new Foreigners Law. The reforms make Portugal an attractive country to qualified specialists, as well as sustaining migration. For official information on residency permits and immigration procedures in Portugal, visit the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) official portal. To know more about the Portugal surge, visit TerraTern now!
